New Aviation Hall exhibition takes off

11 DECEMBER 2025

TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND, NZ

Ngā hau a Tāwhirirangi – Forces of Flight: Discover the forces that take you sky-high this summer

MOTAT is inviting visitors to explore the wonder of flight as it unveils a captivating new permanent exhibition on the mezzanine of its Aviation Hall. It opens just in time for the start of the holiday season.

From the moment we can, we dream of flying. We flap our arms like wings, throw paper planes into the sky and watch birds in awe. Ngā hau a Tāwhirirangi – Forces of Flight picks up those dreams and lifts them into an immersive space where imagination meets discovery.

Ngā hau a Tāwhirirangi opens 20 December, bringing the four forces of flight – lift, weight, thrust and drag – to life through hands-on interactives, striking design and objects from MOTAT’s air and space collection.

Senior Exhibitions Content Developer, Rachel Bush says “This exhibition is about connecting science and culture in a way that feels alive and relevant. We’ve drawn on mātauranga Māori and the incredible ingenuity of nature to tell a story that resonates with everyone – from curious kids to lifelong learners.”

Collection highlights include an extraordinary rainbow-coloured hang glider designed in Aotearoa, the innovative Martin Jetpack prototype, and a human-sized manu aute kite by expert aute (barkcloth) maker Nikau Hindin (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi). Visitors will encounter 42 fascinating collection objects in total, from pilots’ instruments to flight suits worn by pioneering aviators.

The collection objects sit alongside a lively suite of four physical interactive experiences where visitors can get hands-on and experiment with weight, play with the four forces and explore the science of what keeps us in the air. Together they illustrate how te taiao, the natural world, inspires advances in aerodynamics and flight technology, demonstrating the links between nature and innovation.

Intriguing spatial design – including an incredible overhead sculptural form of a flight path – reinforces those links and leads visitors through the exhibition and its themes. Studio Pacific Architects, who designed the multi-award-winning Aviation Hall itself back in 2011, were invited to return and build on the original vision of the Aviation Hall and revitalise the mezzanine gallery space.

Head of Exhibitions, Simon Gould says“The design of Ngā Hau a Tāwhirirangi is immersive and dynamic. It’s not just about looking at objects – it’s about experiencing the essence of flight through movement, interaction and storytelling.”

The bicultural approach is shaped by collaboration with leading specialists and knowledge holders: The title Ngā Hau a Tāwhirirangi reflects the importance of ngā hau – the winds – and draws on the knowledge shared by esteemed maramataka expert Rereata Makiha (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Rangitāne). Rereata's kōrero about how ngā hau are grouped by families and characteristics and how ngā manu, ride these winds shape the themes of the exhibition.

His kōrero is brought to life through animating the illustrations of acclaimed toi moko artist Ben Thomason in a large-scale projection experience.

“Being able to share Papa Ral's (Rereata Makiha) engaging and insightful kōrero adds a whole new dimension for Māori-medium students. To present the forces of flight from both a te ao Māori and Western science point of view is unique – a world first,” says Rachel.

This approach is supported by aerofoils expert Dr Nicholas Kay of the University of Auckland, who has helped inform the exhibition’s scientific content.

Designed for the whole whānau, with special appeal for tamariki aged 8-12, Forces of Flight also extends on themes within MOTAT's much-loved Fantastic Flight education programme and aligns with school curricula.

Director, Museum Experience, Liz Cotton says: “We’re thrilled to open this new permanent exhibition that deepens MOTAT’s commitment to education and innovation. Summer holidays are the perfect time to come and explore it with friends and whānau.

Ngā Hau Tāwhirirangi – Forces of Flight Opens 20 December MOTAT Aviation Hall, Mezzanine Gallery
Included with general admission

ENDS

Media Contact: Nicole Parish, Communications Manager: nicole.parish@motat.org.nz